Intro

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2007
Intro
9
Wed, 04-16-2008 - 8:45pm

I'm Margaret, and I'm a diabetic. I'be 20 at the end of this month and have been diabetic for...almost 20 years. I was just reading an older post on inconviences, and well, I thought I'd start off with a few of my pet peeves:


1. I know I'm not fat, but getting back down to 110-115 will help control my blood levels (I'm 5'4" and 130 right now, with a very small frame)


2. Yes, I'm a college student, but no, I cannot get drunk with you...yes, one drink will mess up my levels


3. Yep, it hurts, it all hurts, and no, I will never get used to it.


Anyways, here I am. I'm getting fed up with the diabetes and I know I need some support. It's hard when I have no one in my life that understands.

 


 

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: uncouth19
Wed, 04-16-2008 - 10:28pm

Hi Margaret,


Welcome to the board. We are here to support you as best we can. We know that diabetes can be frustrating and even more so when you are a college student trying to live a normal life.


Do you have an insulin pump? If not, this may be one of the ways that you can more normalize your life.


I am a type 2 who is on insulin and I don't drink alcohol either. Once in a great while I will have an alcohol free beer which give me a buzz! I think the carbs in an alcohol free beer are the same as a slice of bread.


Anything which makes us seem different is uncomfortable. But you would be surprised at how many diabetics there are out there. It is just tough having a chronic disease. But it sounds like you are doing pretty well. I do wish you success in losing those pounds that you need to lose.


So please pull up a chair and join our conversation. At the moment you are the youngest member of the board but that makes no difference. Tell us what it is like from your perspective.


A hardy welcome,


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Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: uncouth19
Thu, 04-17-2008 - 7:49am

Hi Margaret and welcome to the board!


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2007
In reply to: uncouth19
Thu, 04-17-2008 - 11:40am

No, I don't have a pump, I'm a little weary of technology. I used to have a Lantus pen, and it wonked out three times before I switched back to a bottle and syringe. I would dial up the amount of insulin, inject the needle, puch the plunger, then wake up in the morning at 400 or so...and be sick all day long, sicker than I've ever been. Although I have recently started looking into the pump.


Anyways, it always seems like I'm the youngest one whose had diabetes the longest...hmm...I see a pattern now. Although I was diagnosed very, very young.

Avatar for eldersis
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: uncouth19
Thu, 04-17-2008 - 3:08pm

Hi Margaret,


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2001
In reply to: uncouth19
Thu, 04-17-2008 - 3:42pm

Although I'm just a bit older than you (32 =-P) I understand where you are coming from.

~Misty~


 


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: uncouth19
Fri, 04-18-2008 - 2:14am

Misty,


I have a nice hard glass case in my purse. You would think that I would put my glasses in there, but no, that is where I keep my symlin syringes and occassionally my pills. It keeps everything safe. I did find Margaret's comments about the pen interesting as my doctor wants me to switch over to the symlin pens when my current prescription runs out. She wanted to know why I wasn't on Lantus pens but they weren't developed when I started using Lantus.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2001
In reply to: uncouth19
Fri, 04-18-2008 - 4:26pm

Does the insulin stay cool enough there?

~Misty~


 


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: uncouth19
Fri, 04-18-2008 - 11:22pm

Misty,


It is pretty cool where I am and I don't leave my purse anywhere I am not. So I am sure that it stays under 80 degrees. I am aware that it is warmer in the summer time and so I watch out for my syringe.


My Endo told me the vials and the pens costs the same. I don't know for sure but I guess I will find out.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2001
In reply to: uncouth19
Sat, 04-19-2008 - 2:34pm

I have seen little cases just for insulin that are insulated.

~Misty~